The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-07
A BUSY DAY FOR FIREMEN
Flames from q Row of Stables Threaten
to Cause Widespread Confagration.
The Firemen Have Hard Fight to Protect
Several Residences from Destruction-A
Marriage Ceremony Interrupted.

Three alarms between and O'Clock yesser-
The first alarm came from No. 246 Fletcher av-
enue, where there was small fire that did no
damage, caused by an explosion of gasoline
stove. Half an hour later alarms were turned
in from three boxes in the neighborhood of West
and St Clair streets, where three or four barns
had burst into flames apparently simultaneous
ly, threatening the destruction os an entire
square When Chief Webster reached the scene
he saw that it would require stubborn work to
prevent the flames from spreading, on account
of the brisk wind. and he turned in the second
alarm. Before stream of water could be
turned on the flames seven stables were blazing
and the high wind was carrying the flames and
cinders two hundred yards residences. Il
was evident that nothing could be done to save
the stables, and the fremen exerted themselves
to protect the adjoining residences. many of
which already smoking The men were
distributed over fifteen twenty roofs in the
neighborhood and with hard work saved all the
houses but one two from damage.
The origin of the fire is mystery. No one
it until several of the stables were in flames,
and the general superstition is that at least two
of the stables set on fire by boys who had
been playing near there. The fire evidently
started in the stable in the rear of No 3S4 North
West street, occupied by w. A Euiass. and
owned by V. g. Clifford The stable adjoining it.
in the rear of No. 1856, occupied by William Her
sey and owned by Amos Clifford, in
flames. and from it spread to the stable in the
rear of No. 1888. occupied by Joseph Dirk. and
also owned by Amos Clifford These three were
almost destroyed when the department. arrived.
and before the fremen could get control OF the
fire it had spread to large stable in the rear of
No. 800, owned and occupied by j. s. Dunlap
From it the flames spread to a she'd in the rear
OF No. 1872. occupied by Louis Leonard,
and owned by Edward Sands. which went
alley the flames took hold of the stable in the
of No. 81 North California street. occupied
by E. Shafer aud owned by Charles Shafer. and
then communicated to the stable in the rear of
No. 379, owned and occupied by Mr.. Chapman.
The adjoining sta BILE in the of No. 38I Cali
fornia street, owned by George Diller driver Of
engine No l. the last in the row. and with
it's destruction the work of the flames ended
The eight stables were burned to the ground
with all their contents, which were not great.
Dir. Hersey was the greatest loser, as he had
considerable farming machinery destroyed. All
the residences along the line of the fire on both
California and West streets were badly
scorched, but not materially damaged. The
houses a square northeast suffered more than
those nearer the high wind carried the burn
ing embers over the property that was between
them and the fire.
The residence of James n. Crane. square
and a half away, caught on the roof, and was
damaged considerably wedding had just oc-
Cured when the fire broke out. and the bride
and groom, with the guests had to take TO the
commons.
Several other residences in the neigh borhood
caught fire. but none of them were materially
damaged. None of the buildings destroyed
were of much value. and the aggregate damage
was perhaps not moro than ST.. 800 or s., COG. The
only of the losers who carried any insurance
was Mr.. Dunlap, VINO had his barn insured in
the Home Company. Perhaps the heaviest loser
was Mr.. Chapman, who had a fine set of carpen-
ter's TOOLS valued at $500, destroyed.
1t was after 5 o'clock when the firemen left
the scene, and they had just reached the engine
house again when alarm came from across
White river, on Washington street, where large
frame stable on the property of Albert Traub
burned, with a delivery wagon, a buggy, sleigh
and several tons of hay. The total loss Mr.
Traub estimates at $500, which is fully covered
by insurance.